Track former for cross country ski tracks with means to move former to transport position

Abstract

An apparatus for forming cross country ski tracks in a snow covered surface has a trailer frame adapted to be connected to the rear end of a vehicle. A lifting frame is connected to the trailer frame for pivotal movement about a first horizontal axis. The lifting frame has a pair of parallel guide members extending longitudinally from the trailer frame to a transversally extending crossbar. The guide members are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of a central axis common to the lifting frame, the trailer frame, and the vehicle. At least one cross country ski track forming device is connected to the crossbar for pivotal movement about a second horizontal axis. A positioning device is connected between the trailer frame and the lifting frame. The positioning device pivotally manipulates the lifting frame about the first horizontal axis between an operative position at which the track forming device extends rearwardly from the trailer frame to contact and impress tracks in the snow covered surface, and an inoperative position at which the track forming device is elevated from the snow covered surface and is folded over the trailer frame.

We claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for forming cross country ski tracks in a snow covered surface, comprising: a trailer frame adapted to be connected to the rear end of a vehicle;   a lifting frame connected to said trailer frame for pivotal movement about a first horizontal axis, said lifting frame having a pair of parallel guide members extending longitudinally from said trailer frame to a transversally extending crossbar, said guide members being arranged symmetrically on opposite side of a central axis common to the lifting frame, the trailer frame, and the vehicle;   at least one cross country ski track forming device connected to said crossbar, said track forming device being pivotably movable about a second horizontal axis; and   positioning means connected between said trailer frame and said lifting frame for pivotally manipulating said lifting frame about said first horizontal axis between an operative position at which said track forming device extends rearwardly from said trailer frame to contact and impress tracks in the snow covered surface, and an inoperative position at which said track forming device is elevated from said surface and is folded over said trailer frame.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a stiffening support extending laterally between said guide members, said positioning means being connected at one end to said stiffening support. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of either claim 1 or 2 wherein said guide members each have first and second arms, said first arms being connected to said trailer frame at said first axis, and said second arms being connected to said crossbar, said first and second arms being angularly disposed with respect to each other such that when said lifting frame is in said operative position, said first and second arms define downwardly facing obtuse angles with said second arms being arranged substantially horizontally. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said positioning means is connected to said lifting frame at a location below the junction between said first and second arms.